In the quiet town of Korpur village, Sialkot, Pakistan, a young Christian girl’s life was torn apart in the most heart-wrenching way. On January 9, 2025, 14-year-old Sunaiha Sharif was cruelly abducted by those she had trusted. The agony that followed has since become a story of unimaginable pain, perseverance, and ultimately, justice.
Sunaiha’s abductors, Samina Bibi and her daughter Amina Bibi, had recently moved into the neighborhood, pretending to be impoverished women seeking help. Driven by Christian compassion, the Sharif family welcomed them with open arms, offering food and kindness to their new neighbors. Yet, this very compassion would be tragically exploited.
On the night of the abduction, Amina persuaded Sunaiha’s mother to allow her daughter to accompany her to a nearby shop. Little did they know, it would be the last time Sunaiha’s parents would see her in safety. Soon after, a neighbor informed the family that a van, carrying unknown men, had driven off with both girls. Desperate and distraught, Sunaiha’s parents rushed to the police, only to be met with indifference. Samina Bibi feigned innocence, even claiming that her daughter had gone missing as well.
But the Sharifs refused to back down. With determination in their hearts, they took the case to Muradpur Police Station, where an initial investigation revealed disturbing links between the abductors and a network of exploitation. Despite the slow and ineffective response from local authorities, Sunaiha’s parents, Sonam and Sharif Masih, remained relentless in their pursuit of justice.
The breakthrough came when the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) stepped in. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, BACA hired a private advocate to represent the Sharif family and applied immense legal pressure on the police. Under this pressure, the investigation intensified, and soon after, Samina Bibi and her husband Muhammad Shabir were arrested. The couple’s arrest led to a shocking revelation — Sunaiha was being held captive in Mandi Bahauddin, nearly 100 miles away from Sialkot.
In a dramatic raid, Sunaiha was rescued. When her father, Sharif Masih, saw her again, the moment was indescribable. He recounted: “My daughter leapt to me and cried aloud when she saw me. She told me how she was kidnapped and taken to another city. I am thankful to God for He kept my daughter safe, and she came back to us safely.”
Though Sunaiha was freed from her captors, the trauma of her abduction lingered. But BACA’s commitment to her well-being didn’t end with her rescue. The family was provided financial assistance to help them cope with the immense hardships they had endured. Sunaiha, vulnerable after such a horrific ordeal, was also supported in securing a marriage to a trusted Christian man from Karachi, ensuring her safety and a fresh start away from the dangers of her past.
Today, Sunaiha is happily married, surrounded by love and security. Her life, once marked by violence and betrayal, is now one of peace and hope. Her abductors, however, are facing trial for their heinous crimes.
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee of BACA, shared: “Sunaiha’s story is one of cruelty, betrayal, and hope. Christian girls in Pakistan often face unimaginable horrors, but with our help, Sunaiha’s case was different. We ensured police accountability, provided vital financial support to a family in crisis, and helped secure a safe future for a girl who had been so violently wronged. BACA will always stand by those who need us most, and we will not rest while injustice prevails.”
The story of Sunaiha Sharif is a testament to the dangers faced by minority communities in Pakistan, but it is also a reminder that with persistent effort, the tides of injustice can be turned. BACA’s intervention didn’t just bring a child back to her family — it restored dignity, hope, and a chance at a brighter future. In a land rife with oppression, their actions gave Sunaiha a voice, and her future, a chance.